Space heater



United States Patent 3,261,597 SPACE HEATER Gregory J. McGough, 1200Shryer Ave. W., St. Paul, Minn. Filed Oct. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 405,160 4Claims. (Cl. 263-19) This invention relates to heating devices and morespecifically to portable space heaters.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel portable space heaterof simple and inexpensive construction, including a generallycylindrical housing having a burning mechanism therein and a blowermechanism positioned rearwardly of and below the burner mechanism forblowing air to be heated through the housing, and a flame deflectingmember disposed adjacent the discharge end of the housing to deflect.and splash the flame produced by the combusting fuel into the stream ofmoving air so that the air will be more effectively heated as it passesthrough the housing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel space heater ofthe class described which is provided with a thermo-responsive controlelement operable for automatically closing the valve mechanism throughwhich the fuel to the burner passes, in the event that the burner flameis accidentally or otherwise extinguished.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the novel space heater device;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the space heater device;and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof with portions thereof broken away forclarity.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment ofthe novel space heater device, designated generally by the referencenumeral 10, is thereshown. The space heater device comprises a generallycircular cylindrical housing 11 preferably constructed of a suitablerigid metallic material, the interior of the housing defining a heatingchamber 12. The forward end of the housing is open as at 13 andthis'open front end defines a discharge outlet through which the heatedair passes during operation of the heater device. The rear end of thehousing 11 has an annular flange 14 so that the intake opening 15defined thereby is substantially smaller than the discharge outlet 13.

A burner mechanism 16 is positioned within the housing in closeproximity to the upper surface thereof and adjacent the rear or intakeend of the housing. This burner mechanism includes .an elongate bodymember 17 to which is connected the nozzle member 18. Airports 19 areprovided adjacent the points of connection of the nozzle and bodymembers. The housing 11 is provided with circumferentially arranged airinlet openings 20 therein adjacent the burner mechanism 16, oxygen beingnecessary in the combustion of the combustible fuel which is supplied tothe burner mechanism 16. It is pointed out that the burner mechanism 16is substantially disposed in the vertical axial plane of the housing 11and is sup- 3,261,597 Patented July 19, 1966 ported in part by theannular flange 14 and a bracket 21 which is located exteriorly of thehousing and is welded thereto.

The mounting bracket 21 is of L-shaped configuration and a sleeve 22 isrigidly connected thereto and forms a support for the rear portion ofthe cylindrical body member 17 of the burner mechanism, the body memberprojecting through the sleeve 22.

A rear end portion of the elongate cylindrical body member 17 of theburning mechanism 16 is rigidly attached to a fitting connected to aflexible conduit 23. The other end of the conduit 23 also has a fittingcarried thereby which is detachably connected to a poppet type controlvalve mechanism 24 which is mounted on the upper portion of the annularflange 14 exteriorly of the housing 11. The valve control mechanism 24is connected in flow controlling relation to a conduit 25 which isconnected to a source of fuel under pressure, preferably a bottle ofcombustible gas fuel.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that one end of anelongate thermo-responsive control element 26 is connected to anactuating element 27 of the valve control mechanism 24. This elongatedcontrol element 26 extends diagonally of the housing and has its otherend secured to an attachment bracket 28a located adjacent the dischargeend of the housing. It will be noted that the median portion of thecontrol element is positioned in fairly close proximity to the nozzlemember of the burner mechanism and will be enveloped with the flamesproduced by the combusting fuel during operation of the space heater.The valve control mechanism 24 has an actuator button 28 which whendepressed will intercommunicate the nozzle mechanism with the source offuel. When the actuating button is in the elevated position, the valvewill be closed to prevent passage of fuel to the nozzle mechanism. Theactuating element 27 to which the thermo-responsive control element 26is connected is also operatively connected to the actuating button 28.During operation of the space heater device, the actuating button willbe retained in the open or depressed condition against spring pressurewhen the thermo-responsive control element 26 is heated to apredetermined degree. However, when the burner mechanism isextinguished, the temperature of the thermo-respon'sive control elementwill quickly drop and this control element is then operative to releasethe actuating button so that the valve control mechanism will beautomatically closed. It will therefore be seen that in the event thatthe combusting fuel at the discharge end of the nozzle member 18 isextinguished for example, accidentally, the supply of fuel to the nozzlemember will be very quickly shut off by the automatic operation of thecontrol element with respect to the valve control mechanism.

Means are provided for moving the air to be heated through the housing11 and this means comprises a blower mechanism 29. The blower mechanism29 includes an electric motor 30 having an armature or output shaft 31that projects into the housing 11 and has .a bladed fan structure 32secured thereto. In the embodiment shown, the hub portion of the fan issecured to the armature or output shaft 31, as best seen in FIG. 3. Itwill be noted that the electric motor 30 is provided with a generallyU-shaped mounting bracket 32 which is secured as by bolt assemblies 34to a supporting platform 35 which in turn is rigidly secured to thehousing 11 adjacent the intake end thereof. It will be noted that thesupporting platform 35 is of generally rectangular configuration andcorresponds in width to the width of the chord of the arc which ittraverses. The platform 35 which is constructed of a suitable metallicmaterial has a pair of laterally spaced-apart axle attachment members 36integrally formed therewith and depending therefrom. An axle 37 for apair of ground engaging Wheels 38 is journaled in these axle supportingmembers 36.

Suitable electrical conductors 39 interconnect the electric motor 30with a suitable source of electrical current and switch means areprovided to permit the electric motor to be selectively energized. Ahandle 40 is rigidly secured to the exterior of the surface of thehousing 11 adjacent the discharge end 13 thereof to facilitate movingthe space heater device from one location to another. The small angularsupport element 41 is affixed to the lower exterior surface of thehousing adjacent the discharge end to space this discharge end of thehousing above the surface of the ground or other supporting surface uponwhich the heater device is disposed during operation thereof. Thissupporting element 41 may be secured to the housing by any suitablesecuring means such as welding or the like. In order to prevent theentry of debris to the heating chamber 12 during operation of the blowermechanism, a suitable screen type guard 4Q substantially cove-rs theintake opening 15 of the housing and is secured to the annular flange 14located thereat by suitable bolt assemblies 43, as best seen in FIG. 1.

Means are also provided for assuring that most of the air to be heatedwhich is introduced into the heating chamber 12 by the blower mechanismwill in fact be effectively heated. This means includes a bafile orflame deflector member 44. It will be seen that this flame deflectormember 44 which is of substantially rectangular configuration andpreferably constructed of a suitable metallic material is secured to theinner upper surface of the housing 1 1 by an attachment bracket 45, asbest seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. This flame deflector member 44 is positionedclosely adjacent but spaced slightly rearwardly of the discharge opening13 of the housing 1 1 in a space substantially forwardly of the burner18. The spacing of the deflector member with respect to the burnermechanism 16 and discharge opening 13' is such that no flames .will beable to escape from the exterior of the housing and there will belittle, if any, tendency of the reversely flowing stream of com bustingfuel from extinguishing the burner during operation of the heaterdevice.

In operation, the deflector member 44 serves to splash the combustingfuel primarily downwardly and laterally to 'very effectively heat theair passing through the heating chamber so that the maximum use is madeof the combusting fuel. It will be seen that the peripheral edges of thebaffle member are spaced from the entire inner surface of the housing sothat no undue turbulence will be produced while simultaneouslydeflecting the combu-sting fuel to heat the air before it is dischargedfrom the housing.

During operation of the heater device, an operator will depress theactuating button 23 and ignite the combusting fuel discharged from thenozzle member 18. This actuating button will be held in its depressedcondition for a short period of time until the actuating element 27 isheated to the degree to retain the button in its depressed condition.Access to the burner mechanism is provided by means of the air inletopenings 20 which are of a size to permit an operator to insert his handtherethrough. Thereafter, the blower mechanism is energized and air isblown through the heating chamber 12 wherein it will be heated by thecombusting fuel which is burned therein. The combusting fuel, which ispreferably a gas, will splash against the flame deflecting member 44,and while the combusting fuel will be deflected primarily downwardlyinto the stream of air to be heated, the corn-busting fuel will ialso bedeflected radially outwardly in all directions with respect to theheating chamber 12.

It will therefore be seen that the air introduced through the intakeopening will be effectively heated prior to its discharge from theoutlet 13.

In the event that the flame is accidentally or otherwise extinguished,the control element 26 is operative upon cooling to permit the springurged vvalve element in the valve control mechanism to be closed so thatthe supply of gas to the burner mechanism will be stopped. If it isdesirable to move the heater to a new location, the heat-er device canbe very easily moved by an operator by grasping the handle 40 and movingthe heater device upon the wheels 38.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a novel space heaterdevice which is of very light weight, inexpensive and simpleconstruction, and which may be moved from one location to another with aminimum of effort.

It will further be seen that suitable safety means are provided forpreventing the escape of gas in the event that the burner mechanismflame is extinguished during operation of the heater device. It willalso be noted from the preceding paragraphs that the flame deflectormeans is arranged and constructed with respect to the heater housing andthe burner mechanism so that maximum economy is obtained with respect tothe combusting fuel used to heat the air introduced into the. heaterhousing.

Thus it will be see-n that I have provided a novel space heater devicewhich is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but one whichfunctions in a more eificient manner than any heretofore knowncomparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable space heater device comprising a generally cylindricallyshaped housing of circular cross sectional configuration being normallyoriented whereby the axis thereof is disposed substantiallyhorizontally, said housing having an open front discharge end and anopen rear intake end,

groundengaging wheels connected to said housing for supporting the samefor travel,

a nozzle burner mechanism positioned within said housing substantiallyin the axial center line plane thereof closely adjacent the upper centerwall surface and rear intake end of said housing, said nozzle burnermechanism facing said front discharge end and being connected by conduitmean-s to a source of combustible fuel,

valve control mechanism interposed in communicating and flow controllingrelation with respect to said conduit means,

a blower mechanism supported by said housing and positioned rearwardlyand below said nozzle burner mechanism,

a substantially flat generally rectangular shaped baffle member fixedlyconnected with and extending transversely of the interior of saidhousing, the lower edge of said baffiemember being disposed adjacent theaxis of said housing, said baflle member being positioned adjacent butspaced rearwardly of said discharge end and forwardly of said nozzlemember and being effective to prevent the combusting fuel from escapingand splashing the combusting fuel into the stream of air produced bysaid blower mechanism to very effectively heat said stream of air.

2. The space heater device as defined in claim 1 wherein substantiallythe entire peripheral edges of said baflle member are spaced from theinner surface of said housing.

'3. The space heater device as defined in claim 2 and athermo-responsive control element extending transversely of said housingbetween said nozzle burner mechanism and said baffle member and beingoperatively connected to said valve control mechanism to close saidvalve control mechanism in the event that the ignited combusting fuel isextinguished.

4. The portable space heater device as defined in claim 1 wherein saidground engaging Wheels are connected to said housing adjacent the intakerear end thereof, and an elongate handle member afiixed to the uppersurface of the housing adjacent said front discharge end and projectinglongitudinally therefrom.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN J. CAMBY,Acting Primary Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE SPACE HEATER DEVICE COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICALLYSHAPED HOUSING OF CIRCULAR CROSS SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION BEING NORMALLYORIENTED WHEREBY THE AXIS THEREOF IS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLYHORIZONTALLY, SAID HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN FRONT DISCHARGE END AND ANOPEN REAR INTAKE END, GROUND ENGAGING WHEELS CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSINGFOR SUPPORTING THE SAME FOR TRAVEL, A NOZZLE BURNER MECHANISM POSITIONEDWITHIN SAID HOUSING SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE AXIAL CENTER LINE PLANE THEREOFCLOSELY ADJACENT THE UPPER CENTER WALL SURFACE AND REAR INTAKE END OFSAID HOUSING, SAID NOZZLE BURNER MECHANISM FACING SAID FRONT DISCHARGEEND AND BEING CONNECTED BY CONDUIT MEANS TO A SOURCE OF COMBUSTIBLEFUEL, VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM INTERPOSED IN COMMUNICATING AND FLOWCONTROLLING RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID CONDUIT MEANS, A BLOWERMECHANISM SUPPORTED BY SAID HOUSING AND POSITIONED REARWARDLY AND BELOWSAID NOZZLE BURNER MECHANISM, A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT GENERALLY RECTANGULARSHAPED BAFFLE MEMBER FIXEDLY CONNECTED WITH AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELYOF THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING, THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID BAFFLE MEMBERBEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE AXIS OF SAID HOUSING, SAID BAFFLE MEMBERBEING POSITIONED ADJACENT BUT SPACED REARWARDLY OF SAID DISCHARGE ENDAND FORWARDLY OF SAID NOZZLE MEMBER AND BEING EFFECTIVE TO PREVENT THECOMBUSTING FUEL FROM ESCAPING AND SPLASHING THE COMBUSTING FUEL INTO THESTREAM OF AIR PRODUCED BY SAID BLOWER MECHANISM TO VERY EFFECTIVELY HEATSAID STREAM OF AIR.